Rotary actuator for slide switch

ABSTRACT

A switch-actuating device is mounted within a housing to convert rotary movement of a selector knob into linear movement to actuate a slide switch mounted within the housing. The shaft which carries the knob outwardly of the housing has a crank extending rearwardly behind the wall of the housing to engage a pivotal member which pivots about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The pivotal member is loosely coupled to the crank at one end thereof and has the other end thereof coupled to a slide actuator on the switch body to move the actuator linearly between its two selectable positions.

M M 11$ til States Patent [72] Inventor Norbert .1. Kazyk Norridge, 111.[21] App]. No. 8,671 [22] Filed Feb. 4, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971[73] Assignee Motorola, Inc.

Franklin Park, 1111.

[54] ROTARY ACTUATOR FOR SLIDE SWITCH 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs [52]11.8. C1 200/172, 325/315 [51] 1nt.C1 H0lh3/02 [50] Field of Search74/22 A, 25, 38, 104; 200/172 A; 325/315, 316, 317, 452, 458, 459;334/47, 52, 53,54

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,698,361 12/1954 Mekelburg200/172 A Primary Examiner-Benedict V. Safourek AttorneyMueller andAichele ABSTRACT: A switch-actuating device is mounted within a housingto convert rotary movement of a selector knob into linear movement toactuate a slide switch mounted within the housing. The shaft whichcarries the knob outwardly of the housing has a crank extendingrearwardly behind the wall of the housing to engage a pivotal memberwhich pivots about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of theshaft. The pivotal member is loosely coupled to the crank at one endthereof and has the other end thereof coupled to a slide actuator on theswitch body to move the actuator llinearly between its two selectablepositions.

PATENIED m 7197:

FIGZ

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toswitch-actuating devices. and more particularly to a switch-actuatingdevice for converting rotational movement of a selector knob to linearmovement to actuate a slide switch.

It is often desired to provide a selector knob on electronic orelectrical equipment to select between two or more modes of operation ofsuch equipment. Such selector knobs are readily provided with associatedwafer switch means which are mounted behind a wall of the housing withthe selector knob, or a portion thereof, extending through the wall ofthe housing to be rotatably operated. However, in some situations thespace limitations are such that wafer switch devices cannot be usedwithout requiring a complete redesign of the switch, and in some cases,such wafer switches are still unappropriate for the purposes. Althoughthe switch actuator of this invention can be used wherever rotation of aselector knob is to be translated into linear movement for actuating aslide switch or the like, it has particular utility when used inconjunction with an AM-FM radio receiver which is to be installed in anautomobile, or the like. Such radio receivers are generally very compactin design so as to occupy a minimum of space within the dashboardcompartment of an automobile. and, as such, require compact componentsfor their operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. it is an object of this inventionto provide switch-actuating means for translating rotary movement of aselector knob to linear movement of a slide switch which is simple inoperation and compact in design.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selector switch meansto be mounted within an AM-FM radio receiver housing to enable the userthereof to select the mode of operation ofthe radio, between AM and FMmodes of operation.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a crank secured to arotatable shaft and which extends rearwardly of the front wall of anAM-FM radio receiver, said crank being displaced radially outwardly fromthe axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft to move through apredetermined arcuate path. A pivotal member has one end thereof engagedwith the crank to be pivoted about an axis which is transverse to theaxis of rotation of the rotatable shaft and which has the other endthereof engaging the actuator of a switch. Preferably the pivotal memberengages the slide actuator ofa slide switch to move the same linearlybetween its two or more switching positions.

Another feature of this invention is the use of a leaf spring having acrest portion formed thereon to engage a protuberance located on an armextending from the shaft of the selector knob to provide detent orpositive locking of the selector knob in each of its two selectedpositions, but which also provides only a slight resistance which isreadily overcome by manual pressure on the selector knob to rotate thesame and select the AM or FM mode of operation of the radio receiver.

These and many other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be more fully realized and understood from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals throughout the various views of thedrawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of anAM-FM automobile radio receiver wherein the switch-actuating device ofthis invention is used in the housing thereof;

FIG, 2 is a top fragmentary view of the radio receiver of FIG. I with aportion of the top wall thereof broken away to illustrate theswitch-actuating device therein;

FIG. 3 is a top fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showingthe switch-actuating device in an alternate selected position;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along section IV-lV of FIG. 2showing some of the details of the switch actuator of this invention;and

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, but withportions thereof eliminated to illustrate the leaf spring andprotuberance engagement of the switch-actuating device of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 there isseen an AM-FM radio receiver designated generally by reference numeral10, of the type to be installed in an automobile, or other motorvehicle. The radio receiver 10 includes a housing I2 having a front wall12a through which a plurality of pushbuttons I4, 15, l6, l7 and I8extend. The pushbuttons 14-18 provide means to quickly select any one ofa corresponding number of preset radio stations as is well known in theart. Also extending through the front wall 12a is an on-otf switch andvolume control 20 and, in some cases, a tone control 21 is independentlyrotatable relative to the volume control 20 to allow selection of thetone quality of the audio signal information reproduced by the radio 10.A manual station selector 23 provides means for manually selecting radiostations which are not preset for selection by any one of thepushbuttons 14-18.

In accordance with this invention, an AM-FM selector knob 24 providesmeans for manually selecting between either the AM or the FM mode ofoperation of the radio receiver 10 and, as indicated by referencenumeral 26 on the dial indicator portion of the radio receiver, theselected mode of operation will be indicated by corresponding indicia.It will be understood that the AM-FM indicia may be indicated anywhereon the radio receiver 10, and not necessarily on the dial indicator.Means many be provided to black out one of the AM- FM indicia to enablethe user of the radio 10 readily to determine in which band or mode ofoperation the radio will operate. Also, if desired, a pointer may beprovided to point to the desired indicia, i.e., point to either the AMor FM markings on the dial indicator.

Referring now to FIG. 2,3 and 4, there is seen a fragmentary portion ofthe radio receiver 10 to illustrate the switch-actuating device of thisinvention. A shaft 23a extends through a hollow shaft 24a which, inturn, is mounted through the front wall 12a of the housing 12 forrotation. The shaft 23a receives the manual station selector knob 23, ofFIG. 1 and the shaft 24a receives the band or mode selector knob 24 ofFIG. I.

The switch-actuating device of this invention is designated generally byreference numeral 30 and includes an arm 31 formed at the rear endportion of the shaft 24a and extends radially outwardly thereof. A crank32 is secured to the arm 31 for movement therewith through apredetermined arcuate path back and forth between extreme positions ofan arc segment of rotation of the shaft 24a. The crank 32 fits into anelongated slot 34 formed in a bent up portion 35 of a pivotal member 36.The pivotal member 36 is secured to a standard 38 by pivot means 40,preferably a rivot or the like. The pivotal member 36 then pivots aboutan axis which extends through the rivot 40 and which axis is transverseto the axis of rotation of the shaft 24a, as best seen in FIG. 4.

A switch body 42 is secured to a support bracket 44 located behind thepivotal member 36 and is fixedly supported in a spaced relation to thearm 31 and crank 32. A slide actuator 46 thereof is engaged with anopening 47 in another bent up portion 48 of the pivotal member 36.Therefore, rotation of the shaft 240 between its two extreme positions,preferably which are only an arcuate segment ofa complete rotation, willcause pivotal movement of the member 36 about the axis of the rivot 40to move the slide actuator 46 linearly between its two positions. Forexample, in FIG. 2 the slide actuator 46 as shown in its extreme lefthand position this being, for example, the AM mode of operation, and inFIG. 3 the slide actuator 46 is shown in its extreme right hand positionthis being, for ex ample, the FM mode of operation. Therefore, theactuator of this invention converts rotational movement of the shaft 24,through a segmented arc of rotation, into linear movement of the slideactuator 46 over a limited extent sufficient to fully actuate the switch42 between its two stable switching conditions. However, it should beunderstood that more than two positions of a slide switch can beobtained by the actuator of this invention.

A plurality of terminal connectors 50, 51 and 52 are located at the rearof the switch body 42 for connection of suitable circuit leads whichcause switching between the AM and FM modes of operation in radioreceiver 10. Other terminal connections may be located at the rear ofthe switch body 42, the total number of terminal connections being asmany as necessary to effect mode switching of the AM-FM radio receiver10.

Most advantageously, a resilient leaf spring member 54 is secured to thefront wall 120 in any suitable manner but preferably extends upwardtoward the arm 31. The leaf spring 54 preferably is secured to a ceramicblock 56 which also forms a trimming capacitor within the housing 12 tobe adjusted for proper operation of the radio receiver 10, as is wellknown in the art. The leaf spring 54 has a bent back portion 54a whichforms a crest 54b. A protuberance 58 slideably rides over the crest 54band firmly holds the arm 31 together with the shaft 24a in position atits extreme arcuate locations. That is, FIG. 4 illustrates theprotuberance 58 resting at the upper portion of the crest 54b, and uponrotation of the shaft 24 the protuberance will move over the crest 54bto the lower portion thereof as indicated in FIG. 5. This provides adetent action and insures that sufficient holding force is at all timesmaintained on the slide actuator 46 of the switch 42 to preventundesired actuation of the switch, but which holding force is easilyovercome by manual rotation to the shaft 240.

Accordingly, the switch actuator of this invention provides means foreasily and inexpensively converting rotary movement of a shaft intolinear movement for actuation of a slide switch or the like.

lclaim:

l. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination:

a shaft to be rotated about a first axis to first and second arcuatelydisplaced positions; crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movementthrough a predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft uponrotational movement of said shaft;

a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft, said switch bodyhaving an actuator extending therefrom to be moved linearly betweenfirst and second positions to operate the same; and

a pivotal member pivotal about a second axis transverse to said firstaxis of said shaft and having a first apertured bent over portion at oneend thereof to receive said crank and a second apertured bent overportion at the other end thereof to receive said actuator, wherebymovement of said crank by rotation of said shaft will cause linearmovement of said actuator.

2. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extendingradially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm andextending rearwardly thereof, said crank being a pin which engages saidfirst apertured bent over portion.

3. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extendingradially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm andextending rearwardly thereof to engage said means;

a protuberance formed on said arm; and resilient means defining a camsurface secured to said wall and engageable with said protuberance toprovide stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said first andsecond positions.

4. The switch-actuating device of claim 3 wherein said resilient meansis a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crestover which said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side ofthe crest to hold said shaft in either of said first and secondositions.

5. The switch-actuating device of c arm 1 wherem said shaft is a hollowshaft, and further including a second shaft extending therethrough.

6. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination:

a shaft to be rotated to first and second arcuately displaced positions;

a crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement through apredetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft upon rotationalmovement of said shaft;

a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft. said switch bodyhaving an actuator extending therefrom to be moved between first andsecond positions to operate the same;

pivotal means having one portion to receive said crank and anotherportion to receive said actuator, movement of said crank by rotation ofsaid'shaft will cause movement of said actuator,

a protuberance formed on said shaft and resilient means defining a camsurface engageable with said protuberance to provide a stop actionlocking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions.

7. The switch-actuating device of claim 6 wherein said resilient meansis a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crestover which said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side ofthe crest to hold said shaft in either of said first and secondpositions.

1. A switch-actuating device comprising in combination: a shaft to berotated about a first axis to first and second arcuately displacedpositions; a crank radially outwardly of said shaft for movement througha predetermined arcuate path about the axis of said shaft uponrotational movement of said shaft; a switch body fixed in spacedrelation to said shaft, said switch boDy having an actuator extendingtherefrom to be moved linearly between first and second positions tooperate the same; and a pivotal member pivotal about a second axistransverse to said first axis of said shaft and having a first aperturedbent over portion at one end thereof to receive said crank and a secondapertured bent over portion at the other end thereof to receive saidactuator, whereby movement of said crank by rotation of said shaft willcause linear movement of said actuator.
 2. The switch-actuating deviceof claim 1 including an arm extending radially outwardly of said shaft,said crank secured to said arm and extending rearwardly thereof, saidcrank being a pin which engages said first apertured bent over portion.3. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 including an arm extendingradially outwardly of said shaft, said crank secured to said arm andextending rearwardly thereof to engage said means; a protuberance formedon said arm; and resilient means defining a cam surface secured to saidwall and engageable with said protuberance to provide stop actionlocking of said shaft in each of its said first and second positions. 4.The switch-actuating device of claim 3 wherein said resilient means is aleaf spring and said cam surface is a bent portion forming a crest overwhich said protuberance rides and locks in position on each side of thecrest to hold said shaft in either of said first and second positions.5. The switch-actuating device of claim 1 wherein said shaft is a hollowshaft, and further including a second shaft extending therethrough.
 6. Aswitch-actuating device comprising in combination: a shaft to be rotatedto first and second arcuately displaced positions; a crank radiallyoutwardly of said shaft for movement through a predetermined arcuatepath about the axis of said shaft upon rotational movement of saidshaft; a switch body fixed in spaced relation to said shaft, said switchbody having an actuator extending therefrom to be moved between firstand second positions to operate the same; pivotal means having oneportion to receive said crank and another portion to receive saidactuator, movement of said crank by rotation of said shaft will causemovement of said actuator, a protuberance formed on said shaft andresilient means defining a cam surface engageable with said protuberanceto provide a stop action locking of said shaft in each of its said firstand second positions.
 7. The switch-actuating device of claim 6 whereinsaid resilient means is a leaf spring and said cam surface is a bentportion forming a crest over which said protuberance rides and locks inposition on each side of the crest to hold said shaft in either of saidfirst and second positions.